Provisioning of virtual machine pools based on historical data in a networked computing environment

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present invention generally describe how to utilize a pool of raw computing resources to dynamically resize environments due to workloads. Specifically, embodiments of the invention provide an approach for generating a partially pre-provisioned pool of virtual machines (VMs). The pool is typically derived from a history of patterns weighted by a potential state of a corresponding VM image to fulfill a workload request. For each VM instance, this approach determines/calculates the number of times that an instance represents a possible starting point for a VM request. The starting points are then normalized to create a probability distribution of the resulting partially pre-provisioned pool of virtual machines.

TECHNICAL FIELD

In general, the present invention relates to the provisioning of virtualmachines (VMs) in a networked computing environment (e.g., a cloudcomputing environment). Specifically, the present invention relates toprovisioning of pools of VMs based on historical data.

BACKGROUND

The networked computing environment (e.g., cloud computing environment)is an enhancement to the predecessor grid environment, whereby multiplegrids and other computation resources may be further enhanced by one ormore additional abstraction layers (e.g., a cloud layer), thus makingdisparate devices appear to an end-consumer as a single pool of seamlessresources. These resources may include such things as physical orlogical computing engines, servers and devices, device memory, storagedevices, among others.

Cloud computing services are typically rendered within a relativelystatic hardware pool whereby operating systems and applications aredeployed and reconfigured to meet the computational demands ofconsumers. Within the cloud environment's boundaries, application imagescan be installed and overwritten, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses maybe modified, and real and virtual processors may be allocated to meetchanging business needs. Presently, different cloud service providersmay take varying amounts of time to provision virtual machines requestedby consumers. For example, some cloud providers may provision aparticular resource in a matter of seconds, while others may take hours.The differences in provisioning speeds are generally caused by at leastthree factors: the type of storage architecture, the architecture of thecloud management platform, and/or the methods used to provisionresources. As such, challenges can exist in providing consistent andreliable computing resource provisioning times.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention generally describe how to utilize apool of raw computing resources to dynamically resize environments dueto workloads. Specifically, embodiments of the invention provide anapproach for generating a partially pre-provisioned pool of virtualmachines (VMs). The pool is typically derived from a history of patternsweighted by a potential state of a corresponding VM image to fulfill aworkload request. For each VM instance, this approachdetermines/calculates the number of times that an instance represents apossible starting point for a VM request. The starting points are thennormalized to create a probability distribution of the resultingpartially pre-provisioned pool of virtual machines.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a computer-implementedmethod for provisioning a pool of virtual machines (VMs) in a networkedcomputing environment, comprising: accessing, in at least one computerdata structure, a history of previously provisioned VMs in the networkedcomputing environment; determining, based on the history, rawpercentages of the previously provisioned VMs that comprised aparticular set of software programs; transforming each of the rawpercentages to yield normalized percentages; and provisioning a pool ofVMs having the particular set of software programs in the networkedcomputing environment based on the normalized percentages.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a system forprovisioning a pool of virtual machines (VMs) in a networked computingenvironment, comprising: a memory medium comprising instructions; a buscoupled to the memory medium; and a processor coupled to the bus thatwhen executing the instructions causes the system to: access, in atleast one computer data structure, a history of previously provisionedVMs in the networked computing environment; determine, based on thehistory, raw percentages of the previously provisioned VMs thatcomprised a particular set of software programs; transform each of theraw percentages to yield normalized percentages; and provision a pool ofVMs having the particular set of software programs in the networkedcomputing environment based on the normalized percentages.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a computer programproduct for provisioning a pool of virtual machines (VMs) in a networkedcomputing environment, the computer program product comprising acomputer readable storage media, and program instructions stored on thecomputer readable storage media, to: access, in at least one computerdata structure, a history of previously provisioned VMs in the networkedcomputing environment; determine, based on the history, raw percentagesof the previously provisioned VMs that comprised a particular set ofsoftware programs; transform each of the raw percentages to yieldnormalized percentages; and provision a pool of VMs having theparticular set of software programs in the networked computingenvironment based on the normalized percentages.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a method for deployinga system for provisioning a pool of virtual machines (VMs) in anetworked computing environment, comprising: providing a computerinfrastructure being operable to: access, in at least one computer datastructure, a history of previously provisioned VMs in the networkedcomputing environment; determine, based on the history, raw percentagesof the previously provisioned VMs that comprised a particular set ofsoftware programs; transform each of the raw percentages to yieldnormalized percentages; and provision a pool of VMs having theparticular set of software programs in the networked computingenvironment based on the normalized percentages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of this invention will be more readilyunderstood from the following detailed description of the variousaspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a cloud computing node according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a cloud computing environment according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts abstraction model layers according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a system diagram according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a first table according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 depicts a second table according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 depicts a third table according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 depicts a method flow diagram according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are merelyschematic representations, not intended to portray specific parametersof the invention. The drawings are intended to depict only typicalembodiments of the invention, and therefore should not be considered aslimiting the scope of the invention. In the drawings, like numberingrepresents like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Illustrative embodiments will now be described more fully herein withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodimentsare shown. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many differentforms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplaryembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and willfully convey the scope of this disclosure to those skilled in the art.In the description, details of well-known features and techniques may beomitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the presented embodiments.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of this disclosure.As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. Furthermore, the use of the terms “a”, “an”, etc., do notdenote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of atleast one of the referenced items. It will be further understood thatthe terms “comprises” and/or “comprising”, or “includes” and/or“including”, when used in this specification, specify the presence ofstated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/orcomponents, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or moreother features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

In general, embodiments of the present invention generally describe howto utilize a pool of raw computing resources to dynamically resizeenvironments due to workloads. Specifically, embodiments of theinvention provide an approach for generating a partially pre-provisionedpool of virtual machines (VMs). The pool is typically derived from ahistory of patterns weighted by a potential state of a corresponding VMimage to fulfill a workload request. For each VM instance, this approachdetermines/calculates the number of times that an instance represents apossible starting point for a VM request. The starting points are thennormalized to create a probability distribution of the resultingpartially pre-provisioned pool of virtual machines.

It is understood in advance that although this disclosure includes adetailed description of cloud computing, implementation of the teachingsrecited herein are not limited to a cloud computing environment. Rather,embodiments of the present invention are capable of being implemented inconjunction with any other type of computing environment now known orlater developed.

Cloud computing is a model of service delivery for enabling convenient,on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computingresources (e.g. networks, network bandwidth, servers, processing,memory, storage, applications, virtual machines, and services) that canbe rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort orinteraction with a provider of the service. This cloud model may includeat least five characteristics, at least three service models, and atleast four deployment models.

Characteristics are as follows:

On-demand self-service: a cloud consumer can unilaterally provisioncomputing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, asneeded, automatically without requiring human interaction with theservice's provider.

Broad network access: capabilities are available over a network andaccessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneousthin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, and PDAs).

Resource pooling: the provider's computing resources are pooled to servemultiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physicaland virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according todemand. There is a sense of location independence in that the consumergenerally has no control or knowledge over the exact location of theprovided resources but may be able to specify location at a higher levelof abstraction (e.g., country, state, or datacenter).

Rapid elasticity: capabilities can be rapidly and elasticallyprovisioned, in some cases automatically, to quickly scale out andrapidly released to quickly scale in. To the consumer, the capabilitiesavailable for provisioning often appear to be unlimited and can bepurchased in any quantity at any time.

Measured service: cloud systems automatically control and optimizeresource use by leveraging a metering capability at some level ofabstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g., storage,processing, bandwidth, and active consumer accounts). Resource usage canbe monitored, controlled, and reported providing transparency for boththe provider and consumer of the utilized service.

Service Models are as follows:

Software as a Service (SaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto use the provider's applications running on a cloud infrastructure.The applications are accessible from various client devices through athin client interface such as a web browser (e.g., web-based email). Theconsumer does not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructureincluding network, servers, operating systems, storage, or evenindividual application capabilities, with the possible exception oflimited consumer-specific application configuration settings.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto deploy onto the cloud infrastructure consumer-created or acquiredapplications created using programming languages and tools supported bythe provider. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure including networks, servers, operating systems, orstorage, but has control over the deployed applications and possiblyapplication-hosting environment configurations.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): the capability provided to theconsumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and otherfundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to deploy andrun arbitrary software, which can include operating systems andapplications. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure but has control over operating systems, storage,deployed applications, and possibly limited control of select networkingcomponents (e.g., host firewalls).

Deployment Models are as follows:

Private cloud: the cloud infrastructure is operated solely for anorganization. It may be managed by the organization or a third party andmay exist on-premises or off-premises.

Community cloud: the cloud infrastructure is shared by severalorganizations and supports a specific community that has shared concerns(e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and complianceconsiderations). It may be managed by the organizations or a third partyand may exist on-premises or off-premises.

Public cloud: the cloud infrastructure is made available to the generalpublic or a large industry group and is owned by an organization sellingcloud services.

Hybrid cloud: the cloud infrastructure is a composition of two or moreclouds (private, community, or public) that remain unique entities butare bound together by standardized or proprietary technology thatenables data and application portability (e.g., cloud bursting forload-balancing between clouds).

A cloud computing environment is service oriented with a focus onstatelessness, low coupling, modularity, and semantic interoperability.At the heart of cloud computing is an infrastructure comprising anetwork of interconnected nodes.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a schematic of an example of a cloud computingnode is shown. Cloud computing node 10 is only one example of a suitablecloud computing node and is not intended to suggest any limitation as tothe scope of use or functionality of embodiments of the inventiondescribed herein. Regardless, cloud computing node 10 is capable ofbeing implemented and/or performing any of the functionality set forthhereinabove.

In cloud computing node 10, there is a computer system/server 12, whichis operational with numerous other general purpose or special purposecomputing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-knowncomputing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may besuitable for use with computer system/server 12 include, but are notlimited to, personal computer systems, server computer systems, thinclients, thick clients, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessorsystems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmableconsumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputer systems, mainframecomputer systems, and distributed cloud computing environments thatinclude any of the above systems or devices, and the like.

Computer system/server 12 may be described in the general context ofcomputer system-executable instructions, such as program modules, beingexecuted by a computer system. Generally, program modules may includeroutines, programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, and soon that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract datatypes. Computer system/server 12 may be practiced in distributed cloudcomputing environments where tasks are performed by remote processingdevices that are linked through a communications network. In adistributed cloud computing environment, program modules may be locatedin both local and remote computer system storage media including memorystorage devices.

As shown in FIG. 1, computer system/server 12 in cloud computing node 10is shown in the form of a general-purpose computing device. Thecomponents of computer system/server 12 may include, but are not limitedto, one or more processors or processing units 16, a system memory 28,and a bus 18 that couples various system components including systemmemory 28 to processor 16.

Bus 18 represents one or more of any of several types of bus structures,including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, anaccelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of avariety of bus architectures. By way of example, and not limitation,such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus,Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, VideoElectronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and PeripheralComponent Interconnects (PCI) bus.

Computer system/server 12 typically includes a variety of computersystem readable media. Such media may be any available media that isaccessible by computer system/server 12, and it includes both volatileand non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media.

System memory 28 can include computer system readable media in the formof volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) 30 and/or cachememory 32. Computer system/server 12 may further include otherremovable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer system storagemedia. By way of example only, storage system 34 can be provided forreading from and writing to a non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media(not shown and typically called a “hard drive”). Although not shown, amagnetic disk drive for reading from and writing to a removable,non-volatile magnetic disk (e.g., a “floppy disk”), and an optical diskdrive for reading from or writing to a removable, non-volatile opticaldisk such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or other optical media can be provided.In such instances, each can be connected to bus 18 by one or more datamedia interfaces. As will be further depicted and described below,memory 28 may include at least one program product having a set (e.g.,at least one) of program modules that are configured to carry out thefunctions of embodiments of the invention.

The embodiments of the invention may be implemented as a computerreadable signal medium, which may include a propagated data signal withcomputer readable program code embodied therein (e.g., in baseband or aspart of a carrier wave). Such a propagated signal may take any of avariety of forms including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic,optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signalmedium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computerreadable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, ortransport a program for use by or in connection with an instructionexecution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium including, but not limited to, wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, radio-frequency (RF), etc., or anysuitable combination of the foregoing.

Program/utility 40, having a set (at least one) of program modules 42,may be stored in memory 28 by way of example, and not limitation, aswell as an operating system, one or more application programs, otherprogram modules, and program data. Each of the operating system, one ormore application programs, other program modules, and program data orsome combination thereof, may include an implementation of a networkingenvironment. Program modules 42 generally carry out the functions and/ormethodologies of embodiments of the invention as described herein.

Computer system/server 12 may also communicate with one or more externaldevices 14 such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display 24, etc.;one or more devices that enable a consumer to interact with computersystem/server 12; and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.)that enable computer system/server 12 to communicate with one or moreother computing devices. Such communication can occur via I/O interfaces22. Still yet, computer system/server 12 can communicate with one ormore networks such as a local area network (LAN), a general wide areanetwork (WAN), and/or a public network (e.g., the Internet) via networkadapter 20. As depicted, network adapter 20 communicates with the othercomponents of computer system/server 12 via bus 18. It should beunderstood that although not shown, other hardware and/or softwarecomponents could be used in conjunction with computer system/server 12.Examples include, but are not limited to: microcode, device drivers,redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays, RAID systems,tape drives, and data archival storage systems, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 2, illustrative cloud computing environment 50 isdepicted. As shown, cloud computing environment 50 comprises one or morecloud computing nodes 10 with which local computing devices used bycloud consumers, such as, for example, personal digital assistant (PDA)or cellular telephone 54A, desktop computer 54B, laptop computer 54C,and/or automobile computer system 54N may communicate. Nodes 10 maycommunicate with one another. They may be grouped (not shown) physicallyor virtually, in one or more networks, such as private, community,public, or hybrid clouds as described hereinabove, or a combinationthereof. This allows cloud computing environment 50 to offerinfrastructure, platforms, and/or software as services for which a cloudconsumer does not need to maintain resources on a local computingdevice. It is understood that the types of computing devices 54A-N shownin FIG. 2 are intended to be illustrative only and that computing nodes10 and cloud computing environment 50 can communicate with any type ofcomputerized device over any type of network and/or network addressableconnection (e.g., using a web browser).

Referring now to FIG. 3, a set of functional abstraction layers providedby cloud computing environment 50 (FIG. 2) is shown. It should beunderstood in advance that the components, layers, and functions shownin FIG. 3 are intended to be illustrative only and embodiments of theinvention are not limited thereto. As depicted, the following layers andcorresponding functions are provided:

Hardware and software layer 60 includes hardware and softwarecomponents. Examples of hardware components include mainframes. In oneexample, IBM® zSeries® systems and RISC (Reduced Instruction SetComputer) architecture based servers. In one example, IBM pSeries®systems, IBM xSeries® systems, IBM BladeCenter® systems, storagedevices, networks, and networking components. Examples of softwarecomponents include network application server software. In one example,IBM WebSphere® application server software and database software. In oneexample, IBM DB2® database software. (IBM, zSeries, pSeries, xSeries,BladeCenter, WebSphere, and DB2 are trademarks of International BusinessMachines Corporation registered in many jurisdictions worldwide.)

Virtualization layer 62 provides an abstraction layer from which thefollowing examples of virtual entities may be provided: virtual servers;virtual storage; virtual networks, including virtual private networks;virtual applications and operating systems; and virtual clients.

In one example, management layer 64 may provide the functions describedbelow. Resource provisioning provides dynamic procurement of computingresources and other resources that are utilized to perform tasks withinthe cloud computing environment. Metering and pricing provide costtracking as resources are utilized within the cloud computingenvironment, and billing or invoicing for consumption of theseresources. In one example, these resources may comprise applicationsoftware licenses. Security provides identity verification for cloudconsumers and tasks, as well as protection for data and other resources.Consumer portal provides access to the cloud computing environment forconsumers and system administrators. Service level management providescloud computing resource allocation and management such that requiredservice levels are met. Service Level Agreement (SLA) planning andfulfillment provides pre-arrangement for, and procurement of, cloudcomputing resources for which a future requirement is anticipated inaccordance with an SLA. Further shown in management layer is virtualmachine pooling function, which represents the functionality that isprovided under the embodiments of the present invention.

Workloads layer 66 provides examples of functionality for which thecloud computing environment may be utilized. Examples of workloads andfunctions which may be provided from this layer include: mapping andnavigation; software development and lifecycle management; virtualclassroom education delivery; data analytics processing; transactionprocessing; and consumer data storage and backup. As mentioned above,all of the foregoing examples described with respect to FIG. 3 areillustrative only, and the invention is not limited to these examples.

It is understood that all functions of the present invention asdescribed herein typically may be performed by the virtual machinepooling functionality (of management layer 64, which can be tangiblyembodied as modules of program code 42 of program/utility 40 (FIG. 1).However, this need not be the case. Rather, the functionality recitedherein could be carried out/implemented and/or enabled by any of thelayers 60-66 shown in FIG. 3.

It is reiterated that although this disclosure includes a detaileddescription on cloud computing, implementation of the teachings recitedherein are not limited to a cloud computing environment. Rather, theembodiments of the present invention are intended to be implemented withany type of networked computing environment now known or laterdeveloped.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a system diagram according to an aspect of thepresent invention is shown. As depicted, a virtual machine poolingengine (engine 70) is shown. In general, engine 70 can be implemented asprogram 40 on computer system 12 of FIG. 1 and can implement thefunctions recited herein as depicted in management layer 64 of FIG. 3.In general, engine 70 comprises (in one example) a rules engine thatprocesses a set (at least one) of rules 78 and utilizes historical data80 (stored on a set of computer data structures 82) to provision a pool74 of VMs 76 in networked computing environment 86 (e.g., cloudcomputing environment 50) to handle one or more workload requests 76.

Along these lines, engine 70 may perform multiple functions using rules78. Specifically, among other functions, engine 70 may: access, in atleast one computer data structure 82, a history 80 of previouslyprovisioned VMs in networked computing environment 86; determine, basedon history 80, raw percentages of the previously provisioned VMs thatcomprised a particular set of software programs; adjust each of thepercentages to yield normalized percentages; and provision a pool 74 ofVMs 72 having the particular set of software programs in networkedcomputing environment 86 based on the normalized percentages.

Along these lines, rules 78 enable engine 70 to calculate a number oftimes that an instance represents a possible starting point for a VMrequest; and/or normalizes percentage to create a probabilitydistribution of the resulting partially pre-provisioned pool of VMs. Tobetter explain the calculation of the number of times that an instancerepresents a possible starting point for a VM request, reference is nowmade to FIG. 5 (which shows illustrative historical data. As depicted,table 100 comprises columns 102 and 104 that correspond to softwareinstallable configurations and numbers of provisioned VM instances,respectively. Specifically, two different software installables/programsare shown (A and B), in three different combinations in column 102: “A”only, “B” only, and “A & B”. As further shown, A only appeared in twoprovisioned instances, B only appeared in five provisioned VM instances,and “A & B” appeared in three provisioned VM instances (for a total of10 provisioned instances)

Based on this data, the table 110 of FIG. 6 is yielded having a column112 for each software installable/grouping and a column 114 containingthe associated raw percentages that the corresponding softwarecombination in column 112 represented the total number of provisionedinstances. As shown, software program “A” only was present in 5/10 or50% of provisioned VM instances; software program “B” only was presentin 8/10 or 80% of the provisioned VM instances; and combination “A & B”was present in 3/10 or 30% of the provisioned VM instances.

Referring to FIG. 7, the raw percentages are adjusted/normalized intable 120. Specifically, table 120 comprises a column 122 for eachsoftware installable/grouping and a column 124 containing the associatednormalized percentages that the corresponding software combination incolumn 122 represented the total number of provisioned instances.Normalization occurs by summing the raw percentages in column 114 oftable 110 (FIG. 6) to yield a normalization factor, and then by dividingeach individual raw percentage in column 114 by the normalizationfactor. Specifically, the raw percentages in column 114 were 50%+80%+30%to yield a total percentage/normalization factor. Therefore, as shown inFIG. 7, the normalized percentage for software program “A” only is50/160 or 31.25%; the normalized percentage for software “B” only is80/160 or 50%; and the normalized percentage for software programs “A &B” is 30/160 or 18.75%.

These resulting normalized percentages are then used by engine 70 (FIG.4) to provision pool 74 of VMs 72, which reduces the average wait timefor cloud consumers. Workload requests 76 can then be received andprocessed using pool 74 of VMs 72. The following is an algorithmaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

Algorithm: 1. totals=int[ ] 2. for each vm instance v do: 3: for i=1 tonumSoftwareInstallables do: 4. If v.contains(S_(i)) then: 5. totals[i]++6. totalProbabilities=float[ ] 7. for i=1 to numSoftwareInstallables do:8. totalProbabilites[i]=total[i]/sum(total) 9.selectVMPoolBasedOnDistribution(totalProbabilites)

Referring now to FIG. 8, a method flow diagram according to anembodiment of the present invention is shown. As depicted, in step S1, ahistory of previously provisioned VMs in the networked computingenvironment is accessed. In step S2, raw percentages of the previouslyprovisioned VMs that comprised a particular set of software programs aredetermined based on this history. In step S3, each of the percentages istransofmred/adjusted to yield normalized percentages. In step S4, a poolof VMs having the particular set of software programs is provisioned inthe networked computing environment based on the normalized percentages.In step S5, workload(s) requested can be processed using the pool ofVMs.

While shown and described herein as a VM pooling solution, it isunderstood that the invention further provides various alternativeembodiments. For example, in one embodiment, the invention provides acomputer-readable/useable medium that includes computer program code toenable a computer infrastructure to provide VM pooling functionality asdiscussed herein. To this extent, the computer-readable/useable mediumincludes program code that implements each of the various processes ofthe invention. It is understood that the terms computer-readable mediumor computer-useable medium comprise one or more of any type of physicalembodiment of the program code. In particular, thecomputer-readable/useable medium can comprise program code embodied onone or more portable storage articles of manufacture (e.g., a compactdisc, a magnetic disk, a tape, etc.), on one or more data storageportions of a computing device, such as memory 28 (FIG. 1) and/orstorage system 34 (FIG. 1) (e.g., a fixed disk, a read-only memory, arandom access memory, a cache memory, etc.).

In another embodiment, the invention provides a method that performs theprocess of the invention on a subscription, advertising, and/or feebasis. That is, a service provider, such as a Solution Integrator, couldoffer to provide VM pooling functionality. In this case, the serviceprovider can create, maintain, support, etc., a computer infrastructure,such as computer system 12 (FIG. 1) that performs the processes of theinvention for one or more consumers. In return, the service provider canreceive payment from the consumer(s) under a subscription and/or feeagreement and/or the service provider can receive payment from the saleof advertising content to one or more third parties.

In still another embodiment, the invention provides acomputer-implemented method for VM pooling. In this case, a computerinfrastructure, such as computer system 12 (FIG. 1), can be provided,and one or more systems for performing the processes of the inventioncan be obtained (e.g., created, purchased, used, modified, etc.) anddeployed to the computer infrastructure. To this extent, the deploymentof a system can comprise one or more of: (1) installing program code ona computing device, such as computer system 12 (FIG. 1), from acomputer-readable medium; (2) adding one or more computing devices tothe computer infrastructure; and (3) incorporating and/or modifying oneor more existing systems of the computer infrastructure to enable thecomputer infrastructure to perform the processes of the invention.

As used herein, it is understood that the terms “program code” and“computer program code” are synonymous and mean any expression, in anylanguage, code, or notation, of a set of instructions intended to causea computing device having an information processing capability toperform a particular function either directly or after either or both ofthe following: (a) conversion to another language, code, or notation;and/or (b) reproduction in a different material form. To this extent,program code can be embodied as one or more of: an application/softwareprogram, component software/a library of functions, an operating system,a basic device system/driver for a particular computing device, and thelike.

A data processing system suitable for storing and/or executing programcode can be provided hereunder and can include at least one processorcommunicatively coupled, directly or indirectly, to memory elementsthrough a system bus. The memory elements can include, but are notlimited to, local memory employed during actual execution of the programcode, bulk storage, and cache memories that provide temporary storage ofat least some program code in order to reduce the number of times codemust be retrieved from bulk storage during execution. Input/outputand/or other external devices (including, but not limited to, keyboards,displays, pointing devices, etc.) can be coupled to the system eitherdirectly or through intervening device controllers.

Network adapters also may be coupled to the system to enable the dataprocessing system to become coupled to other data processing systems,remote printers, storage devices, and/or the like, through anycombination of intervening private or public networks. Illustrativenetwork adapters include, but are not limited to, modems, cable modems,and Ethernet cards.

The foregoing description of various aspects of the invention has beenpresented for purposes of illustration and description. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formdisclosed and, obviously, many modifications and variations arepossible. Such modifications and variations that may be apparent to aperson skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scopeof the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

1. A computer-implemented method for provisioning a pool of virtualmachines (VMs) in a networked computing environment, comprising:accessing, in at least one computer data structure, a history ofpreviously provisioned VMs in the networked computing environment;determining, based on the history, raw percentages of the previouslyprovisioned VMs that comprised a particular set of software programs;transforming each of the raw percentages to yield normalizedpercentages; and provisioning a pool of VMs having the particular set ofsoftware programs, in the networked computing environment, based on thenormalized percentages.
 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1,the transforming comprising: summing the raw percentages to yield atotal percentage; and dividing each of the raw percentages by the totalpercentage to yield a normalized percentage for each of the VMinstances.
 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, furthercomprising determining quantities of the previously provisioned VMs thatcomprised the particular set of software programs, the raw percentagesbeing based on the quantities.
 4. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 1, the networked computing environment comprising a cloudcomputing environment.
 5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1,the pool comprising the VMs according to the normalized percentages. 6.The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising receivinga workload request in the networked computing environment.
 7. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 6, further comprising processingthe request using at least one of the VMs from the pool of VMs.
 8. Asystem for provisioning a pool of virtual machines (VMs) in a networkedcomputing environment, comprising: a memory medium comprisinginstructions; a bus coupled to the memory medium; and a processorcoupled to the bus that when executing the instructions causes thesystem to: access, in at least one computer data structure, a history ofpreviously provisioned VMs in the networked computing environment;determine, based on the history, raw percentages of the previouslyprovisioned VMs that comprised a particular set of software programs;transform each of the raw percentages to yield normalized percentages;and provision a pool of VMs having the particular set of softwareprograms, in the networked computing environment, based on thenormalized percentages.
 9. The system of claim 8, the memory mediumfurther comprising instructions for causing the system to: sum the rawpercentages to yield a total percentage; and divide each of the rawpercentages by the total percentage to yield a normalized percentage foreach of the VM instances.
 10. The system of claim 8, the memory mediumfurther comprising instructions for causing the system to determinequantities of the previously provisioned VMs that comprised theparticular set of software programs, the raw percentages being based onthe quantities.
 11. The system of claim 8, the networked computingenvironment comprising a cloud computing environment.
 12. The system ofclaim 8, the pool comprising the VMs according to the normalizedpercentages.
 13. The system of claim 8, the memory medium furthercomprising instructions for causing the system to receive a workloadrequest in the networked computing environment.
 14. The system of claim13, the memory medium further comprising instructions for causing thesystem to process the request using at least one of the VMs from thepool of VMs.
 15. A computer program product for provisioning a pool ofvirtual machines (VMs) in a networked computing environment, thecomputer program product comprising a computer readable storage media,and program instructions stored on the computer readable storage media,to: access, in at least one computer data structure, a history ofpreviously provisioned VMs in the networked computing environment;determine, based on the history, raw percentages of the previouslyprovisioned VMs that comprised a particular set of software programs;transform each of the raw percentages to yield normalized percentages;and provision a pool of VMs having a particular set of softwareprograms, in the networked computing environment, based on thenormalized percentages.
 16. The computer program product of claim 15,the computer readable storage media further comprising instructions to:sum the raw percentages to yield a total percentage; and divide each ofthe raw percentages by the total percentage to yield a normalizedpercentage for each of the VM instances.
 17. The computer programproduct of claim 15, the computer readable storage media furthercomprising instructions to determine quantities of the previouslyprovisioned VMs that comprise the particular set of software programs,the raw percentages being based on the quantities.
 18. The computerprogram product of claim 15, the networked computing environmentcomprising a cloud computing environment.
 19. The computer programproduct of claim 15, the pool comprising the VMs according to thenormalized percentages.
 20. The computer program product of claim 15,the computer readable storage media further comprising instructions toreceive a workload request in the networked computing environment. 21.The computer program product of claim 20, the computer readable storagemedia further comprising instructions to process the request using atleast one of the VMs from the pool of VMs.
 22. A method for deploying asystem for provisioning a pool of virtual machines (VMs) in a networkedcomputing environment, comprising: providing a computer infrastructurebeing operable to: access, in at least one computer data structure, ahistory of previously provisioned VMs in the networked computingenvironment; determine, based on the history, raw percentages of thepreviously provisioned VMs that comprised a particular set of softwareprograms; transform each of the percentages to yield normalizedpercentages; and provision a pool of VMs having the particular set ofsoftware programs, in the networked computing environment, based on thenormalized percentages.